Molokai is Hawaii far off the beaten path, and it has practically none of the amenities most people associate with a Hawaiian vacation, and that's what makes it unique. Relatively small, Molokai is, along with Lanai and Kahoolawe, one of Maui's satellite islands, and it's widely regarded as one of the few places left where one can experience a side of Hawaii unadulterated by modern tourism.

The bulk of Molokai's beaches sit on the narrow west and east ends of the island because massive vertical sea cliffs, the largest in the world, dominate the north shore, while the south coast features an ancient, sprawling aquaculture zone designed by savvy Hawaiian chiefs who built fishponds here more than 700 years ago.

However, the handful of beaches that do exist here are some of the most isolated, rugged, and beautiful in the state. And the watersports potential is off the charts. The summer brings calm sea conditions along the north coast, perfect for sea-kayaking trips along the sea cliffs, and the 30-mile fringing reef to the south is the largest in Hawaii.

When conditions permit, diving and snorkeling trips along this reef and around Mokuho'oniki Rock offer a glimpse at some of Hawaii's least-visited and gloriously untouched marine environments, which host rare endemic species of fish, manta rays, whales, and schooling hammerhead sharks.